Obama’s ‘Singular’ Mother

By Ann Gerhart May 12, 2011 The key to understanding the disciplined and often impassive 44th president is his mother, as Janny Scott, a reporter for The New York Times, decisively demonstrates in her new biography, "A Singular Woman."The key to understanding the disciplined and often impassive 44th president is his mother. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Schickel on Scorsese

BLANK Mar 11, 2011 In this excerpt from his new book, "Conversations With Scorsese," veteran movie reviewer and documentary filmmaker Richard Schickel describes the character, formative struggles and career challenges of the celebrated director, with whom he shared a rich dialogue spanning several decades.In this excerpt from his new book, Richard Schickel describes the character, formative struggles and career challenges of the celebrated director. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Caroline Moorehead on the Exemplary Life of Lesley Blanch

BLANK Jul 30, 2010 A new biography of the remarkable writer Lesley Blanch suggests that living well—which may be the same thing as living passionately—is the best way of blunting the force of time’s arrow.A new biography of the remarkable writer suggests that living well is the best way of blunting the force of time’s arrow. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

David Kipen on ‘Freedom’s Orator’

BLANK Jun 25, 2010 Robert Cohen succeeds in drawing Mario Savio back into the historical spotlight, though his biography of the 1960s student firebrand is stingy with details.Robert Cohen draws Mario Savio back into the historical spotlight, but his biography of the 1960s student firebrand is short on details. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Deconstructing Marley

Staff / Truthdig Jun 16, 2010 Bob Marley built his legendary legacy on messages of unity and social justice, but, although some more ardent devotees might disagree, a new biography argues that he had his flaws and complications. Human, in other words. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Peter Stothard on Christopher Hitchens

BLANK May 28, 2010 Christopher Hitchens reveals a life in contradictions in "Hitch-22," a brilliant memoir that is at turns comic, self-deflating and sexually frank. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

Another Take on Eva Braun

Staff / Truthdig Feb 15, 2010 Eva Braun has been dismissed as an inconsequential figure (and, of course, a "dumb blonde") in Adolf Hitler's life, but a new biography of Braun by German historian Heike Görtemaker recasts Hitler's lover as a more significant force who was relegated to the background out of necessity. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Allen Barra on Winston Churchill

BLANK Jan 1, 2010 Is there anything left to say about Churchill’s extraordinary life and turbulent times? If so, can it be said in the brief compass of Paul Johnson’s 192-page primer?Can Paul Johnson's 192-page primer tell us anything about Churchill's extraordinary life that we didn't already know? Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Saddam Biography Makes a Splash in Baghdad

Staff / Truthdig Nov 10, 2009 The first volume of a trilogy of Saddam Hussein books written by the late dictator's lawyer has generated controversy in Iraq. It's unclear whether the Iraqi government will even allow "Saddam Hussein: From an American Cell. This Is What Happened" to be sold in the country. (continued) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Michael Kazin on Dorothea Lange and the Great Depression

BLANK Oct 16, 2009 Two new books explore the cultural achievements of the 1930s that continue to shape the American imagination. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Nobody Wants to Read About Bernie Madoff’s Steamy Affair

Staff / Truthdig Sep 3, 2009 Disgraced former Wall Street baron Bernard Madoff might have made millions swindling others for profit during his heyday, but he doesn't seem to have made much of a literary cottage industry for writers presumably looking to cash in on his downfall. Not even the "I-was-Bernie's-mistress" angle is tempting book buyers at this point. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Mark Dowie on I.F. Stone

BLANK May 29, 2009 Critic and crusader, the late I.F. Stone was an American original. Neither changing times nor his failing eyesight blunted his radical edge or dimmed his acerbic wit. A new biography by D.D. Guttenplan gives us the man behind the legendary muckraker. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )